Two goals in four first-half minutes by Gao Lin and Wu Pingfeng gave Chinese Super League table-toppers Guangzhou Yiyao a comfortable 2-0 win over defending champions Shandong Luneng at Guangzhou Tianhe Stadium.

The hosts made the most of the soaking weather with Gao breaking the deadlock after 20 minutes, before Wu added a second four minutes later.

The newly promoted side edged closer to clinching this year's title as they stretched their lead over second-placed Beijing Guoan to 12 points with seven rounds remaining.

The visitors came close to opening the scoring after eight minutes when Hao Junmin threatened with a close-range drive that was palmed away by goalkeeper Yang Jun.

Argentinian midfielder Dario Conca's cross from the left deflected off a Shandong defender before unmarked Gao collected the loose ball to shoot past keeper Yang Cheng. Shandong looked for an immediate reply, but Zhou Haibin failed to head Wang Yongpo's free-kick on target.

Wu soon doubled the hosts advantage, outrunning the Shandong defence before latching onto Li Jianhua's cross from the right to beat Yang Cheng with a diving header.

Guangzhou continued to put pressure on the visitors and were unlucky to extend the lead before half-time. Conca received a through ball from Wu three minutes after the half-hour mark, cutting into the box before blasting wide.

Five minutes into the second period, Li thought he had scored a third with a powerful drive from the edge of the penalty box, only to see Yang make a reflex save to deny him. Guangzhou were still on top in the second half, but could not find a third.

Shanghai sink Shaanxi
Shanghai Shenhua saw off Shaanxi Baorong 2-1 thanks to a fourth-minute strike from Argentinian forward Luis Salmeron and an own goal by Australian defender Dino Dulbic five minutes before the break.

Qu Bo's strike 16 minutes before the final whistle wasn't enough to give the visitors a point at Shanghai Hongkou Stadium as the home side secured their first win in the last ten rounds.

Also today, Qingdao Zhongneng and Chengdu Blades played out a goalless draw, as did Beijing Guoan and Liaoning Zhongyu, while Nanchang Bayi edged Shenzhen Kingway 1-0 and Hangzhou Greentown saw off Changchun Yatai 2-0.

Jiangsu Shuntian drew 2-2 with Tianjin Teda and Dalian Shide defeated Henan Jianye 2-1.